ISW News Roundup - March 19, 2009
Iraq
Associated Press - Iraqi cleric urges followers to denounce violence
Associated Press - Iraq better but future shaky, by Robert H. Reid
Associated Press - Iraq: Key figures since the war began
RFE/RL - Iraq Sees First Western Tour Group Since Saddam's Fall
Department of Defense - Iraq Uses Foreign Military Sales to Rebuild, Strengthen Security Forces, by Navy Lt. Jennifer Cragg
Afghanistan
Voice of America - US Preparing Possible 'Surge' in Afghanistan
Reuters - U.S. mulls counter-insurgency push in Afghanistan, by Arshad Mohammed
Department of Defense - Afghanistan War 'Absolutely Winnable,' Top Commander Says, by Donna Miles
Reuters - Obama considers expanding Afghan security force:
Christian Science Monitor - Key Afghan insurgents open door to talks, by Anand Gopal
Washington Post - Civilians to Join Afghan Buildup, by Karen DeYoung
Long War Journal - Airstrike kills Taliban commanders in southern Afghanistan, by Bill Roggio
Washington Times - Britain says Afghan war at 'stalemate', by Sara A. Carter
Associated Press - 10th Australian soldier killed in Afghanistan
Associated Press - Afghan raids kill 2 militants
LA Times - 7 suspects held in Afghanistan attacks, by M. Karim Faiez and Laura King
Associated Press - Karzai: Afghanistan not 'puppet state', by Fisnik Abrashi
Associated Press - Roadside bomb kills Afghan lawmaker, by Noor Khan and Amir Shah
Reuters - Bomb attack kills Afghan MP, four bodyguards, by Hamid Shalizi
The Times - Nato calls for 4,000 extra troops to safeguard Afghanistan poll, by David Charter
Reuters - Poland says will boost forces in Afghanistan
Associated Press - U.S. ambassador to Albania cleared in ammo cover-up
BBC - Afghan women who turn to immolation, by Martin Patience
Pakistan
Washington Times - Taliban shifts to southwest Pakistan, by Raza Khan
Washington Post - Briton: Extremist in Pakistan a Key Target, by Ann Scott Tyson
The Times - How 'Little London' Quetta became a haven for the militants, by Catherine Philip
Associated Press - Pakistan gov't appeals rulings against Sharifs
The Times - Obama urged to escalate drone bombing raids deep into Pakistan, by Jeremy Page and Zahid Hussain
Israel
Associated Press - Palestinian reconciliation talks break up, no deal
Reuters - Israeli soldiers break ranks over Gaza war, by Jeffrey Heller
Reuters - Israelis round up Hamas politicians in West Bank, by Mohammed Assadi
Reuters - Israeli missile kills 2 Gaza militants: Palestinians
New York Times - After Gaza, Israel Grapples With Crisis of Isolation, by Ethan Bronner
Washington Times - Military checking reports of ethical abuse in Gaza, by Amy Tiebel
Region
Iran
Reuters - Iranian satellite completes mission: state TV
Reuters - U.S. plans soon to ease ban on contacts with Iran, by Sue Pleming
Tajikistan
RFE/RL - Tajikistan Starts Building Railroad To Afghan Border
Somalia
Associated Press - Bin Laden rallies Somali militants in Web message, by Maggie Michael
North Korea
Voice of America - Reports: North Korean Military Detains 2 American Journalists